Discharge valve



June 22, 1948. A, H DAWS, 1R l 2,443,816

DISCHARGE VALVE Filed 001'.. 23, 1943 Y INVENTO. 36 ARGH/BALDHDAv/SJR BYW C TURA/5) plied to said container.

iatentec June 2,2, 194g DISCHARGE VALVE Archibald H. Davis, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, assignor l to American Machine `and Metals, Inc., East Moline, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application October 23, 1943, Serial No. 507,381

. 9 Claims., (Cl. 137-21) This invention relates to fluid control mechanisms, and more particularly to such mechanisms for washing machines and the like.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a adapted for use, for example, as a discharge or dump valve operatively associated with the intake and outlet means for the shell or container of a washing machine or the like, which, as is well known, must be emptied and refilled repeatedly during the various stages of a Washing cycle.

Another .object of the present invention is to provide a fluid charge means of a container for a washing machine or the like which embodies an hydraulically operated dischargevalve in its construction, which willclose automatically when uid is sup- Another object of the present invention isuto provide a discharge valve for the containerof a washing machine or the like whichis responsive to fluid pressure in' the fluid control system for said containen i A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel valve mechanism for the container of a washing machine or the like which is in communication with a valve-controlled intake means andis operable inaccordancewith the fluid pressure therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a discharge valve wherein a diaphragm subject to the pressure created in the intake means directly closes or opens the outlet opening of the container for a washing machine orthe like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a, discharge valve wherein the release of the diaphragm from pressure Vtending to hold the diaphragm in the closing position may be achieved by opening a drain valve of the iiuid control system for the container.

A further object within `the purview of .the present invention is to provide a novel fluid con,- trol system for the container of a washing machine `or the like, involving a valve controlled intake means including a filling pipe for said container and association with the4 discharge means for said container, and wherein the said lling pipe for the container and thesaid valve mechanism are arranged in parallel relation to the valve of` said intake means. i

Another object of the invention is to provide a discharge valve for thelcontainer of a washing machine or the like which discharges the Iliquid novel fluid control mechanism.

control mechanism for the dis` avalve mechanism inoperative contents of the container practically without splashing.

A further object of the invention is to equip a discharge valve for a container of a washing machine or the like with means for guiding the discharge stream of liquid therefrom in such a manner that said discharged stream will take substantially the form of a converging cone.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a washing machine or the like whose container is to be partly filled only, a diaphragm operated discharge valve which will close automatically under the action of the hydrostatic head created in an intake pipe connected to the container at a point situated above the highest liquid level in the container.

Still another object of the invention is to simplify the actuating mechanism for the liquid discharge of `automatically controlled washing machines or the like.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts whichwill be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a View in end elevation of certain parts of a washing machine, embodying in its construction a iiuid control mechanism made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section of the valve mechanism shown in Figurek 1 of the drawings pand 1 Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation of a modified form of the invention.

Referring rst to Figs. l and 2, I0 denotes the container or shell of a washing machine or the like. Integral with orsecured to the bottom of the container I0, and in open communication with the interior of the container is a short tubular part II having an inwardly extending flange I2. Secured to the iiange I2 is a discharge or dump valve, marked generally as D. An annular cage I4, comprising a top plate I5, a ring I6 and interconnecting ribs l1 which form open ports therebetween through which liquid may flow. is connected tothe flange I2 by means of screw bolts I3 or the like. The plate I5 is provided with a central opening i8 defined by a downwardly extending cylindrical valve seat I9. 20 is a cup-like casing provided with a flange 2| at its upper end and a central opening 22 at its bottom. Clamped between the ring I6 and the flange 2l is a diaphragm 23 which has a substantially larger area than the outlet opening i3. The diaphragm 23 together with the casing 2l) forms a pressure chamber 24. A disc shaped Weight 25 is secured to the middle portion of the diaphragm 23 so as to hold at this part of the diaphragm. While Fig, 2 shows the weight 25 at the lower-side` of the diaphragm 23, it will be understood that such a weight could be attached instead to the upper side of the diaphragm or, if.,

desired, weights could be secured on both sides oi the diaphragm. The diaphragm 23 has. an annular projection 23 which bears against the wardly into the position shown in full linesin Fig. 2 under the combined action of the weight of the diaphragm, of the kweight 25, as well as of the hydraulic pressure exerted upon the upper face of the diaphragm 23 by the liquid in the container l0. By virtue of those forces, the outlet'l opening i8 of the container I0 is opened completelyy and the fluid contained in the container passes through the outlet opening I8 and through the ports formed between the ribs Il' of the cage I4. The stream of liquid leaving the cage I4 in substantially radial direction enters the guard seat i3 when the diaphragmllfis in closed posi-` l tion, as shown in dotted lines in Fig.` 2,. In its open position the diaphragm 23 rests, by the intermediary of the Weight 2fupon` upstandingY lugs 27 provided on the bottom of the casingrzil,

The cage ill is surrounded by a guard 28 adapted to guide the liquid passing through the ports of the cage lll in a manner to-be presently described. According to Fig. 2 the guard 28 con# sists of a cylindrical part 23 Yand a conicalpart Sil which terminates in spacedrelation tothe outerl wall of the casing 20 to form an annular discharge opening 50. At the top, the guard-28 is closed by a disc 3l which may be securedl to the part li of the container I lfor to the cage E4 lin any suitable manner. In thespecic embodi-v ment disclosed, the disc 3l is clamped between the flange l2 and the plate l5.

The pressure chamber 24 is `in communication with the pipe line 32 supplying the container lil with water or other washing liquid.V The normal maximum liquid level in the container I is -indicated in Fig. l by the line L and it is preferably above this maximum level L that the filling pipe 3?. of the pipe line is connected to the container iii. A valve 33 in the pipe line 32, Whichmay be a solenoid operated valve, opens and shuts oi` the liquid supply to the container l V According to Fig. 1 the pressure chambervzl is connected to a tting 34 in the pipe line 311?, situated at a point between the valve 33 and the lling pipe 32". Connected to thetting 34 isia drain pipe 35 having a valve 36, whicn'may be asolenoid operated valve, if desired. K

Prior to they filling of the container li) with washing liquid or the like, the two valves 33 and 3S are closed, at which time the diaphragm 23 is in open position, asshown in full lines'in Fig. 2. When the valve 33 isturned onto ll the containei` 0,5- liquid entering the fitting 34 passes partly through the filling pipe 32 tainer l il and partly into the pressure chamber 24;

The hydrostatic head developed in the vertical portion of the lling pipe 32 creates almost instantly sulcient hydraulic pressure in the pressure chamber 24 to force the diaphragm 23 up-4 wardly and against the seat |9'to automatically close the outlet opening IB of the container Hl.

Closing of the supply valve 33 will not reverse the pressure conditions in thepressure chamber,

the hydrostatic headfduev to the liquid level in the vertical portion of rthe pipe 32 remaininghigh enough to keepthe diaphragm 23 in the closed position. To move the diaphragm into the open position the drain valve 36 has to be opened,l In

automatically controlled washing machines or the like, the opening of the drain valve w-ill usually be subject to the electrically controlled mech-w anism of the machine, but such opening may also y be brought about manually. Opening of the drain valve 36 will relieve the pressure underneath the diaphragm 23. and 'the latter willfm'o've down# into the conl 28 where it is forced to change its direction. The changein direction of now takes place gradually, the liquid rst flowing in a substantially axial direction in the cylindrical zone 29 of the guard 28,

after. which the conical wall 30 forces the liquid Y to leave .the annular discharge opening 50 in the form of a converging cone directed towards a other than a part drain opening (not shown). This construction avoids the heretofore encountered splashing around of the discharging lquidwhichin certain phases` of a washing process, for example,-has a..

temperature highenough to cause severe burns to a person hit by the splashing liquid. Such construction for the guard 28 also permits the usual drain sink underneath the discharge opening of the container I0 to be made much smaller than has been necessary heretofore.

The discharge of `theliquid in the form of a converging cone can also be achievedwith a somewhat diierent shape of the guard 28. For instance, the side wall of the guard could be shaped as a zone of a sphere, or it ymay follow a curve,

inner-surface of the guard 28.

Fig. 3 shows a modified pipe line arrangement,`

as compared with Fig. 1. ID again denotes .the shell or container of the washing machine vor the like, .D the discharge or dump valve, 33 the supply valve, the drain pipe,A and 36 the drain valve. The discharge valve Dis of the construction shown in Fig. 2. Extending from the supply vvalve 33 is a filling pipe 3l which is connected tothe container I ll. Connected to the filling pipe 31, as at 38, isa pipe line 391er diverting intothepressure chamber 2li vva ypart of the liquid supitedA by the illlingpipe.l Thusthe container. I0, and the presL sure chamber 24 are arranged in spect tothe supply valve 33, whereas inFig..1 the pressure chamber 24 and the container ID areconnected in series. p The parallel connection ofFig. 3 permits the use of diierently dimensioned pipes in theparallel branches,.such as a diverting pipe 39 op smaller cross section than the nllingpipe 31. A, venttube is connected to the pipe 39, as at 4I, toprovide for the quick escape orair whichlm-ay be present in the pipe v39; in oijder that the `hydrostatic headY in the pipe 39, instrument-al for moving the diaphragm 23 into its closingv position, may be established very rapidly. The vent tube 4U extends beyond the point of dischargeof the filling pipe 31 into the container l0,

so that no liquid may ow out at the openL end of f the vent tube 40. y

As will be seen from the foregoing description, the outlet opening I8 ofthe shell or container I0 of the washing machineis automatically and directly closed by the diaphragm 23 whenever the liquidV supply for said container is turned on, and is kept safely closed by virtue of the resultant-,duid pressure on its underside due to the diierence existing between the` areasv of the outletopening .i8 andthe diaphragm 23, provided the drainyalve 34 is-closedfat-thattime.- `While this applies-to of a circle, dening a concave,

parallel with remanuallyv as well as to automatically controlled Washing machines or the like, the" described connection between the filling pipe and the pressure chamber .of the valve D is of particular `value in the case of automatically controlled washing machines because one of the solenoid operated valves used in machines of this type, together with-its electrical circuit, is eliminated without impairing the automatic character of the control.` Thus in the examples shown only .two solenoid operated valves the supply valve 33 and the drain valve 36, areused whereas no solenoid operated valve is necessary in connection with the hydraulically operated discharge or dump valve D.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that these embodiments have been given by way of example only and that various changes, rearrangements, and modification-s may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a washing machine or the like, the combination of a container adapted to be partly lled with liquid and having a discharge opening, an intake conduit for supplying said container with liquid at a point above the highest liquid level in said container, a chamber, a diaphragm valve member forming a movable top for said chamber and adapted to close said opening under the action of fluid pressure created in said chamber, said opening and said chamber being arranged on opposite sides of said diaphragm, a supply line including a valve controlling uid flow to said intake conduit, and connecting means between said chamber and said intake conduit, whereby fluid pressure for holding said diaphragm in its closed position with respect to said opening is created by the head of liquid in said intake conduit when fluid is supplied said container through said intake conduit.

2. In a washing machine or the like, the combination of a container adapted to be partly filled with liquid and having a discharge opening, an intake conduit for supplying said container with liquid at a point a-bove the highest liquid level in said container,- a chamber, a diaphragm valve member forming a movable top for said chamber and adapted to close said opening under the action of uid pressure created in said chamber,

said opening and said vchamber being arranged on opposite sides of said diaphragm, said diaphragm being of substantially larger area than said opening, a supply line containing a valve feeding said filling pipe, and connecting means between said chamber and said intake conduit, whereby fluid pressure for holding said diaphragm in its closed position with respect to said opening is created by the head of liquid in said intake conduit when fluid is supplied said container through said intake conduit.

3. In a washing machine or the like, in combination, a tank open to the atmosphere, an outlet valve adapted to be closed by liquid under pressure, a tank inlet above the outlet valve, a liquid supply leading to the inlet, a branch of the liquid supply line leading to the outlet valve, the head of the liquid in the supply system above the outlet valve supplying the liquid pressure to keep said outlet valve closed.

4. In a washing machine or the like, in combination, a tank open to the atmosphere, an outlet valve adapted to be closed by liquid under pressure, a tank inlet above the outlet valve, a liquid supply leading to the inlet, a branch of the liquidsupplyline leading *to the outlet valve,

the head of the liquid in the supply system above the outlet valve supplying the liquid pressure to keep said outlet valve closed, means to drain said branch to allow the outlet valve to open.

5. In a washing machine or'the like, in combination, a tank open to the atmosphere, an outlet opening for the tank, a pressure cell supported adjacent said outlet opening, a diaphragm forming one face of said pressure cell and adapted to be forced against said opening by pressure in the cell, a tank inlet above the outlet openinga liquid supply line to thel inlet, a branch of the liquid supply line leading to said pressure cell, the head of the liquid above the pressure cell supplyng the liquid pressure to automatically keep said outlet opening closed.

6. In a washing machine or the like, in combination, a tank open to the atmosphere, an outlet opening for the tank, a pressure cell supported adjacent said outlet opening, a diaphragm forming one face of said pressure cell and adapted to be forced against said opening by pressure in the cell, a tank inlet above the outlet opening, a liqudsupply line to the inlet, a branch of the liquid supply line leading to said pressure cell, the head of the liquid above the pressure cell supplying the liquid pressure to automatically keep said outlet opening closed, means to drain said branch to allow discharge of the tank contents through said outlet opening.

7. In a washing machine or the like, in combination, a tank open to the atmosphere, an outlet opening for the tank, a pressure cell supported adjacent said outlet openings, a diaphragm of substantially larger area than said outlet opening forming one face of said pressure cell and adapted to be forced against said opening by pressure in the cell, a tank inlet above the inlet opening, a liquid supply line to the inlet, a valve controlling admission of a liquid into the supply line, a branch of the liquid supply line leading to said pressure cell, the head of the liquid above the pressure cell supplying the pressure to automatically keep said outlet opening closed after the inlet valve is closed.

8. In a washing machine or the like, in combination, a tank open to the atmosphere, an outlet opening for the tank, a pressure cell supported adjacent said outlet openings, a diaphragm of substantially larger area than said outlet opening forming one face of said pressure cell and adapted to be forced against said opening by said pressure in the cell, a tank inlet above the inlet opening, a liquid supply line to the inlet, a valve controlling admission of a liquid into the supply line, a branch of the liquid supply line leading to said pressure cell, the head of the liquid above the pressure cell supplying the pressure to automatically keep said outlet opening closed after the inlet valve is closed, means to drain said branch to allow discharge of the tank contents through said outlet opening,

9. In a washing machine or the like, in combination, a tank open to the atmosphere, an outlet opening for the tank, a pressure cell supported adjacent said outlet opening, a diaphragm forming one face of said pressure cell and adapted to be forced against said opening by pressure in the cell, a tank inlet above the outlet opening, a liquid supply line to the inlet, a branch of the liquid supply line leading to said pressure cell, an air vent extending above the inlet connected with the branch line to eliminate air lock when the branch is being lled, the head of the liquid above the'pressurerscelbsupplying the liquid :.'pregsure :to: Number.

8 f Name. .r ,Y *Datev automatically.keepsaidputlet:opening;closed. f 806,330` Ervin Dec. 4'6,.1905

1,541,987 Masca11- .June\16,.1925 v ARCHIBALDH..DAVIS-JR.' f 1,636,769I Forman July 26,;1927

, 5( 2,208,662V 1- .Clark Ju1y,23,.1940 lliEF-ERENCES-CITED` 2,241,294 carreras May, s, 1941 2,250,974. swdda-rdi July 29, 19.41 ences are of record m the 2,305,724 .Lueczelschwab Dec. 22,1942 2,310,516 .Clark- Feb. 9, 419,43

UNITED 'STATES PATENTS? 10 FOREIGN'PATENTS Number Name Date'. Number Country Date 122,544` .2, Westinghouse. Jan.. 9, :1872v` 818,902 France ,June 28, 1907 

